7 Ways to Make Your Home More Eco-Friendly

Be inspired by nature when designing your home. Nature provides us with beautiful colors and themes, and also inspires products that you use every day in your home. We’ve compiled 7 great ideas – from earth-conscious products to energy saving options – that will ensure you keep nature in mind as you’re designing your space.

1. Nature’s Fibers

Did you know you can make rugs out of natural fibers extracted from plants? Two of the most popular natural fibers include jute and sisal. Jute rugs have a soft texture and are great for bedrooms. Sisal rugs have a bright appearance and are super durable, so you can place them in high-traffic areas. The color and texture of natural rugs can provide instant warmth to a room. Not only are natural rugs an earth-friendly option, they are also more affordable than you think! Check out the 100% Jute area rug above from Surya.

2. Environmentally-Friendly Paint

A fresh coat of paint never fails to refresh a room. And there’s no better product to use than Benjamin Moore®’s Natura® Interior Paint. With zero VOCs (volatile organic compounds), zero emissions, and no harsh fumes, Natura offers exactly what you want – beautiful color, lasting durability, and exceptional washability – and none of the other stuff. The environmentally sustainable product is also certified asthma & allergy friendly™ - scientifically proven to have a reduced level of allergens. So go ahead, refresh your home this spring and gain a new sense of safety for your family and the environment.

3. Insulated Window Treatments

If you’ve got a tight budget when it comes to updating a room, window treatments are a great option to consider. A benefit of new window treatments is that they can save you money by insulating your home in the winter and keeping the heat out in the summer. Our favorite window treatment option is Vignette® Modern Roman Shades from Hunter Douglas.These are the perfect alternative to the traditional Roman shade, and come in a variety of sheer, light-filtering, and room-darkening fabric opacities.

4. Renew with Bamboo

Bamboo is an incredible renewable resource that can be replenished faster than trees. Bamboo can be used for many different things such as fabrics, furniture, and other accessories. Bamboo can even be used as flooring. It has similar properties to hardwood, except bamboo is a type of grass – not actually a tree. Check out Carpet One Floor & Home’s Voyager Collection for some great unique and sustainable flooring options.

5. Energy-Efficient Updates

It is more common than ever to see energy-efficient appliances. When making major updates in your home, make sure you select products that feature an ENERGY STAR label. ENERGY STAR is a program established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy to assist you in making confident choices when purchasing an energy-efficient product. Choosing products that are energy-efficient can save you up to a third on your energy costs.

6. Natural Cleaning

In preparation for Earth Day, spring cleaning has begun! Make your chores earth-friendly too by choosing natural cleaning products. Labels can be misleading, and without any proper regulation for what is considered “eco-friendly” or “non-toxic”, you don’t really know what is in the product unless you dig deep into the labels and do your research. If you want to control exactly what’s in your cleaner, try homemade cleaners. Visit Greener Choices forsome great recipes.

7. Wonders of Wool

Speaking of natural fibers, wool is a sustainable fiber that features several properties that makes it perfect for homes. Wool has amazing insulation properties and is durable, giving it the ability to handle an active home. Wool can be used in an assortment of home products ranging from carpets, pillows, blankets, and even cleaning products. We just love this hand-woven, 100% wool throw pillow from Surya.